As I write this there have been 50,152 gun violence incidents, including 313 mass shootings already this year in the U.S. There are 12,836 dead and 24,790 injured. As you read this, there are undoubtedly more.

The NRA maintains a tight hold on the Republican party. Gun groups are already calling for the lame-duck Congress to push through pro-gun legislation while they still have the majority. The National Concealed Carry Reciprocity Act has passed the House. The Lawful Purposes and Self Protection Act (which among other things, loosens restrictions on armor piercing ammunition) is in committee.

A majority of Americans want stronger gun laws, and they spoke in the midterm elections. In the House, 27 pro-gun Republicans lost. 46 candidates endorsed by Everytown for Gun Safety won. We need the progressive tide of the midterm elections to start a tide of progressive gun reform.

Any last-ditch efforts of a lame-duck Congress to force through their pro-gun agenda must be blocked. The new Congress must move forward with progressive gun safety legislation.

The voices of reason calling to stop gun violence have been muzzled for too long.

Use your voice now. Call your Senators and Representative.

ACTION ONE: CALL YOUR SENATORS

SAMPLE SCRIPT FOR MERKLEY AND WYDEN:

(Leave a message if you can’t get through)

“My name is [–] and I’m a constituent from [city], Oregon [zip code]. I’m very worried about the gun violence epidemic in this country. I am asking the Senator to block any last-minute push for the passage of pro-gun legislation in this Congress and to press for progressive gun violence prevention legislation in this Congress and the next. I also ask him to voice support for Nancy Pelosi as Speaker of the House. We need her leadership to get this done. Thank you.”

“My name is [–] and I’m a constituent from [city], Oregon [zip code]. I’m very worried about the gun violence epidemic in this country. I am asking the Representative to do all that he/she can to push for gun safety. I expect to see progressive gun violence prevention legislation in this and the next congress. And to do that we need an experienced, progressive leader, like Nancy Pelosi. Thank you.”

SAMPLE SCRIPT FOR REPRESENTATIVES WALDEN AND SCHRADER:

(Leave a message if you can’t get through)

“My name is [–] and I’m a constituent from [city], Oregon [zip code]. I’m very worried about the gun violence epidemic in this country. I am calling because the Representative needs to consider the lives and safety of his constituents over the support of the gun lobby. I am asking him to stop accepting money from the NRA and other gun industry lobbies and to support and pass comprehensive gun legislation. I also ask him to voice support for Nancy Pelosi as Speaker of the House. We need her leadership to get this done Thank you.”

Starting in January 2019, House Democrats will have the power to determine which bills get votes. Read Indivisible’s new strategy for how progressives can use their constituent power to set the legislative agenda with a bold progressive vision rooted in inclusion, fairness, and justice. https://indivisible.org/campaign/indivisible-whats-next

Just hours after losing House majority, which protected Trump from accountability, he replaced Sessions with Matthew Whittaker—who, while completely unfit, has publicly condemned Mueller investigation as a “witch hunt.”

The next day, tens of thousands of Americans took to the streets, declaring that #NobodyIsAboveTheLaw. Now, Congress must do its job—protect constitutional democracy and stand up for Rule of Law.

On Wednesday, Sens. Flake (R-Az) and Coons (D-Del) tried to force a Senate vote on Special Counsel Independence and Integrity Act (S.2644), languishing since clearing Judiciary Committee. Despite looming constitutional crisis and its widespread bipartisan support, McConnell used a Senate maneuver to keep it off the floor.

Now, Sen. Flake’s promising to oppose all judicial nominees—in Judiciary Committee and on Senate floor—until it receives Senate floor vote. Our Senators must support this position and convince colleagues to do likewise.

McConnell plans to confirm all 53 pending judicial nominees during lame duck session—keeping Senators in Washington through Christmas, if necessary. If all Dems and one additional Republican stand firm, however, this won’t occur.

Americans deserve to learn truth about Trump campaign’s ties to Russia. Congress must take stand for Rule of Law and pass this legislation.

ACTION ONE: CALL YOUR SENATORS

SAMPLE SCRIPT FOR MERKLEY AND WYDEN:

(Leave a message if you can’t get through)

“My name is [–] and I’m a constituent from [city], Oregon [zip code]. I am calling because I am very concerned about Trump’s latest attempt to shut down or smother the Mueller investigation, which is an attack on our democracy, the Constitution, and the Rule of Law. I am asking Senator [Wyden/Merkley] to: (1) take the lead in convincing colleagues to support Sen. Flake’s refusal to vote for judicial nominees until the bipartisan Special Counsel Independence and Integrity Act (S.2644) is brought to the Senate floor for a vote, (2) insist on Whittaker’s recusal, (3) if necessary, insist that S.2644 be added to the must-pass spending bill. Thank you.”

“My name is [–] and I’m a constituent from [city], Oregon [zip code]. I am calling because I am very concerned about Trump’s latest attempt to shut down or smother the Mueller investigation, which is an attack on our democracy, the Constitution, and the Rule of Law. Thank you for co-sponsoring the Special Counsel Independence and Integrity Act (HR.5476). I am asking Representative [*] to: (1) push for the immediate passage of the Special Counsel Independence and Integrity Act (HR.5476), (2) demand Whittaker’s recusal, and (3) if necessary, insist that HR.5476 be added to the must-pass spending bill. Thank you.”

SAMPLE SCRIPT FOR REPRESENTATIVES SCHRADER AND WALDEN:

(Leave a message if you can’t get through)

“My name is [–] and I’m a constituent from [city], Oregon [zip code]. I am calling because I am very concerned about Trump’s latest attempt to shut down or smother the Mueller investigation, which is an attack on our democracy, the Constitution, and the Rule of Law. I am asking Representative [*] to: (1) push for the immediate passage of the Special Counsel Independence and Integrity Act (HR.5476), (2) demand Whittaker’s recusal, and (3) if necessary, insist that HR.5476 be added to the must-pass spending bill. Thank you.”

Starting in January 2019, House Democrats will have the power to determine which bills get votes. Read Indivisible’s new strategy for how progressives can use their constituent power to set the legislative agenda with a bold progressive vision rooted in inclusion, fairness, and justice. https://indivisible.org/campaign/indivisible-whats-next

Insecure and unreliable voting systems and the lack of auditable paper ballots undermined public confidence

The Democrats elected to the House have said they intend to enact legislation to ensure that our elections are free and fair and that curbs are placed on public corruption. Their first legislative initiative, H.R. 1, is expected to:

Reinvigorate the Voting Rights Act, which was crippled by the Shelby County decision, and expand the franchise by mandating automatic voter registration

Overturn the Citizens United decision that unleashed dark money in campaigns

Subject the president to conflict-of-interest laws, require presidential candidates to release their tax returns, and expand anti-bribery provisions

We must insist that Congress push for all of these needed reforms. The strength of our democracy depends on the strength of our franchise.

ACTION ONE: CALL YOUR SENATORS

SAMPLE SCRIPT FOR MERKLEY AND WYDEN:

(Leave a message if you can’t get through)

“My name is [–] and I’m a constituent from [city], Oregon [zip code]. I am calling because the 2018 elections underscored serious threats to our electoral system. Gerrymandering, voter suppression, dark money, and inadequate election security undermine the fairness of our election process. The rampant corruption and conflicts of interest in the Trump Administration must also be checked. I ask Senator [Wyden/Merkley] to push for strong legislation in 2019 to address all of these threats to our democracy. Thank you.”

“My name is [–] and I’m a constituent from [city], Oregon [zip code]. I am calling because the 2018 elections underscored serious threats to our electoral system. Gerrymandering, voter suppression, dark money, and inadequate election security undermine the fairness of our election process. The rampant corruption and conflicts of interest in the Trump Administration must also be checked. I ask Representative [*] to push for passage of a strong H.R. 1 bill in 2019 to address all of these threats to our democracy. Thank you.”

House Democrats can now determine which bills get votes. Read Indivisible’s new strategy for how progressives can exercise their power to go on legislative offense in 2019 and 2020 utilizing “messaging” bills and “must-pass” bills. https://indivisible.org/campaign/indivisible-whats-next

The arrival of desperate asylum seekers at our southern borders is clearly a humanitarian, not a military crisis.

Nonetheless, Trump ordered thousands of U.S. soldiers to the border as window dressing for a political stunt, at an estimated cost of $200 million.

Just some of this administration’s anti-asylum edicts include:

A narrowed interpretation and greater burden of proof of credible fear, including denying domestic violence as grounds for asylum.

Limiting asylum hearings to those arriving at ports of entry, declaring all others “illegal”. The resulting bottlenecks keep people waiting at the border for weeks without humanitarian support.

Immediate deportation of anyone declared illegal without chance of an asylum hearing.

Separate asylum hearings for parents and children. Asylum for one family member may be granted and another declined, yet again using the threat of family separation as a deterrent.

Barring anyone covered by any of Trump’s Presidential proclamations.

Trump feeds xenophobic and racist fears for political gain. He misuses our military and flouts US and international law. He ludicrously justifies stopping exhausted families seeking a safe haven in our country by calling them a threat to national security.

This must stop. It will take our voices to stop it.

ACTION ONE: CALL YOUR SENATORS

SAMPLE SCRIPT FOR MERKLEY AND WYDEN:

(Leave a message if you can’t get through)

“My name is [–] and I’m a constituent from [city], Oregon [zip code]. Asylum is a human right. President Trump is changing the rules for asylum seekers unilaterally using false claims of national security as a justification. Our rules were already strong and followed both U.S. and international law. We don’t need troops on the border, and we don’t want immigrants seeking asylum to be denied safe harbor and a fair hearing. Please do all that you can to end this humanitarian crisis. Thank you.”

“My name is [–] and I’m a constituent from [city], Oregon [zip code]. Asylum is a human right. President Trump is changing the rules for asylum seekers unilaterally using false claims of national security as a justification. Our rules were already strong and followed both U.S. and international law. We don’t need troops on the border, and we don’t want immigrants seeking asylum to be denied safe harbor and a fair hearing. Please do all that you can to end this humanitarian crisis. Thank you.”

Last week we made history. We voted in a new Congress, new governors, new state legislatures, and expanded Medicaid. In Oregon, we defeated harmful ballot measures and protected our Governor and State legislature. While we fell short in OR2 and WA3, we boldly went out and made a difference. The Trumpian candidates were forced to address the issues we raised, and next time, based on the lessons we learned, we’ll be able to go farther. We are so proud of all we accomplished together, and we can’t thank you enough for working alongside us.

We hope you will continue to work with us because there is more to do. We must make Congress work for all of us and stand up for democracy.

Congress must stop Trump from trampling on the rule of law. His first desperate acts after our victories were forcing Jeff Sessions’ resignation and replacing him with political operative Matthew Whitaker. Whitaker’s conflicts of interest abound, and requiring Mueller to report to him, rather than Rosenstein, imperils the Russia investigation.

Join us at #ResistTrumpTuesday on Tuesday, November 13th, at 11:30 in the courtyard of Senator Wyden’s office 911 NE 11th Ave, Portland, OR 97232. We will meet with Senator Wyden’s staff and:

Thank Senator Wyden for attending the #NotAboveTheLaw Protest last week

Ask Senator Wyden to do more

Demand Whitaker’s recusal

Insist that legislation to protect Mueller’s Russia Investigation be added to the must-pass spending bill

ACTION TWO: CALL YOUR SENATORS

SAMPLE SCRIPT FOR MERKLEY AND WYDEN:

(Leave a message if you can’t get through)

“My name is [Name]. I am a constituent and I live in ZIP code [number]. I am calling because I am deeply concerned about threats to the rule of law in this country. By forcing Jeff Sessions to resign and replacing him with Matthew Whitaker, Trump is an attempt to go around the law. I’m asking the Senator to: 1) demand Whitaker’s recusal from overseeing Mueller’s investigation, and 2) insist that legislation to protect Mueller’s Russia Investigation be added to the must-pass spending bill. Thank you.”

“My name is [Name]. I am a constituent and I live in ZIP code [number]. I am calling because I am deeply concerned about threats to the rule of law in this country. By forcing Jeff Sessions to resign and replacing him with Matthew Whitaker, Trump is an attempt to go around the law. I’m asking the Representative to: 1) demand Whitaker’s recusal from overseeing Mueller’s investigation, and 2) insist that legislation to protect Mueller’s Russia Investigation be added to the must-pass spending bill. Thank you.”

Americans place a high value on free and fair elections. Yet, since Obama’s 2008 win, Republicans – fearful of high turnouts of young and minority voters – have built barriers to the ballot box. For this year’s elections, independent monitors found “voter suppression more widespread, intense, and brazen” than in any election they have studied.

In conservative-controlled states, Republicans have worked to restrict voting access by:

Purging millions from voter rolls

Requiring strict voter ID

Demanding “exact matched signatures”

Reducing polling locations and the number of voting machines

Limiting early voting days

To date, researchers have found voter suppression cuts only 1 to 2% from the total ballots cast. But in close races, just a fraction of 1% can swing elections.

The most dangerous outcome is that voter suppression, groundless allegations of voter fraud or claims of “stolen” elections erode the public’s confidence in elected leaders. This was exactly the goal of Russia’s interference in 2016. Now, Republicans are doing Putin’s work for him.

We must work to remove barriers to voting and demand election protections. A good start is Sen. Ron Wyden’s bill (PAVE Act) to require paper ballots and audits nationwide. In 2020, everyone must have confidence in the vote.

ACTION ONE: CALL YOUR SENATORS

SAMPLE SCRIPT FOR MERKLEY AND WYDEN:

(Leave a message if you can’t get through)

“My name is [–] and I’m a constituent from [city], Oregon [zip code]. Most Americans still have faith in elections. But voter suppression and baseless allegations of voter fraud are undermining that faith. If confidence isn’t restored in elections, we will lose confidence in elected leaders. Fight allegations of voter fraud and the real barriers of voter suppression. Please ask the Senator to do all he can to pass the PAVE Act (S. 3049/H.R. 6093), proposal for paper ballots and audits. But more must be done before 2020. Thank you.”

“My name is [–] and I’m a constituent from [city], Oregon [zip code]. Most Americans still have faith in elections. But voter suppression and baseless allegations of voter fraud are undermining that faith. If confidence isn’t restored in elections, we will lose confidence in elected leaders. Fight allegations of voter fraud and the real barriers of voter suppression. Please ask the Representative to do all he/she can to pass the PAVE Act (S. 3049/H.R. 6093), proposal for paper ballots and audits. But more must be done before 2020. Thank you.”

We have built an infrastructure to fight for our values. Come work with the region’s most active group of Resisters at Indivisible Oregon. Check out the opportunities for volunteers on our website IndivisibleOR.org. If you have a few hours or only one, whether you’re a joiner or want to work from home, Indivisible has a need and a job for you. Don’t sit back and mope – activate your activism. Don’t have any regrets after the next election – no Trump hangover. Become an active citizen again. It’s our job to save democracy.

Jeff Sessions’ forced resignation/firing as Attorney general has created a Constitutional crisis. Acting Attorney General Matthew Whitaker has argued against the Mueller investigation and is now overseeing it. This means the Mueller investigation is defenseless. Mueller must complete his work. Congress must act now to pass legislation that protects Mueller.

We must stop Trump from destroying our Constitution and the Rule of Law.

We must call AND email AND text/Resistbot our Members of Congress EVERY DAY until Whitaker recuses himself and legislation to protect Mueller is passed.

Call EVERY DAY

Email EVERY DAY

Text/Resistbot (50409) EVERY DAY

Tell Your Members of Congress Trump is Not Above the Law.

ACTION ONE: CALL YOUR SENATORS

SAMPLE SCRIPT FOR MERKLEY AND WYDEN:

(Leave a message if you can’t get through)

“My name is [–] and I’m a constituent from [city], Oregon [zip code]. America faces a Constitutional crisis – the Mueller investigation is defenseless. Congress must ACT NOW and pass legislation to protect Mueller. Trump is not above the law. Thank you.”

“My name is [–] and I’m a constituent from [city], Oregon [zip code]. America faces a Constitutional crisis – the Mueller investigation is defenseless. Congress must ACT NOW and pass legislation to protect Mueller. Trump is not above the law. Thank you.”

We are a powerful movement. We have defended democracy with calls to Congress, congressional office visit, and attending town halls. We have stormed the midterms with phone banking, text banking, canvassing, and postcards. We are so powerful that the Trump administration and it’s GOP are running scared, telling lies about immigrants and healthcare. Don’t believe the lies. Stay the course.

On Monday and Tuesday vote, make sure everyone you know votes, and then canvas, phonebank, and text bank to get others to vote.

After the results of the election come in, celebrate our victories, mourn our losses, learn what worked and what didn’t, and join us in taking the next steps.

We are at Indivisible Oregon are so proud to do this work with all our fellow activists. And while this is a major milestone in our movement it is by no means the end of our movement. We will be with you in the next week, the next month, the next year, the next election. We will be here defending democracy and storming elections. We will be here together, with you, moving our country towards a future that is better and bright.

We are now marking our ballots for the midterm elections, only 4 days away. We are working our hardest to ensure that we have a new Congress that will represent the people, not one favoring the super-wealthy and corporations. But, we know that as soon as the elections are over, Trump and the GOP will try to push through their destructive pet projects, as we’ve outlined in earlier daily actions by Indivisible Oregon:

Tax Scam 2.0 – which will add another $2 trillion to the projected $1.5 trillion deficit resulting from Tax Scam 1.0 by cementing in place tax breaks for the wealthiest, on top of those provided in Tax Scam 1.0 — 9/19/2018

Cuts to the social safety net(Medicaid, Medicare and Social Security) – which the GOP claims are necessary because of the tremendous deficits caused by Tax Scam 1.0 – 10/24/2018

Repealing the ACA – which the GOP wants to accomplish if it can (although it is now campaigning on protecting coverage for pre-existing conditions!) — 10/24/218

Cuts to Food Stamps – by enshrining the cruel provisions in the GOP House Farm Bill that will cut SNAP – 9/19/2018

Don’t let this happen. Call. Volunteer. Vote.

ACTION ONE: VOTE AND THEN VOLUNTEER FOR THE MIDTERMS

Oregon is a vote by mail state. Vote as SOON as you get your ballot. If you haven’t received your ballot by Oct 25th go here.

After you vote, influence others to do so: VOLUNTEER. You can have a major impact on the election by talking to voters and reminding them to turn in their ballots. Now is the time. Find details and RSVP here.

ACTION TWO: CALL YOUR SENATORS

SAMPLE SCRIPT FOR MERKLEY AND WYDEN:

(Leave a message if you can’t get through)

“My name is [–] and I’m a constituent from [city], Oregon [zip code]. I am calling because we must act together to prevent the Senate from passing the House Tax Scam 2.0 bill (H.R. 6760) and using it, and the first GOP Tax Scam, as an excuse to destroy our social safety net. Cutting food stamps that feed hungry people in order to finance massive tax cuts for the wealthy is immoral and unAmerican. Likewise, we must safeguard the ACA from attacks by the GOP. Thank you.”

“My name is [–] and I’m a constituent from [city], Oregon [zip code]. I am calling because we must act together to prevent the House Tax Scam 2.0 bill (H.R. 6760) from becoming law. We must stop the GOP from using it, and the first GOP Tax Scam, as an excuse to destroy our social safety net. Cutting food stamps that feed hungry people in order to finance massive tax cuts for the wealthy is immoral and unAmerican. Likewise, we must safeguard the ACA from attacks by the GOP. Thank you.”

Targets Dreamers: Trump kills bipartisan proposal to protect 800,000 Dreamers. He was angered that people from “shithole” countries should have an equal opportunity to immigrate as people “from Norway.” 1/19/18.

Now, he threatens to end birthright citizenship, and sends troops to the southern border. Both are stunts to inflame the base at election time.

VOTE!

ACTION ONE: VOTE AND THEN VOLUNTEER IN THE MIDTERMS

Oregon is a vote by mail state. Vote as SOON as you get your ballot. If you haven’t received your ballot by Oct 25th go here.

After you vote, influence others to do so: VOLUNTEER. You can have a major impact on the election by talking to voters and reminding them to turn in their ballots. Now is the time. Find details and RSVP here.

ACTION TWO: STAND WITH IMMIGRANTS IN OREGON

This November, Measure 105 (formerly IP 22) is on the ballot. This is an attempt by anti-immigration hate groups to repeal Oregon’s 30-year-old sanctuary state law. Commit to protecting our sanctuary state and opposing racial profiling at https://orunited.org/ Make sure all your friends and family do the same.

“My name is [Name]. I am a constituent and I and live in ZIP code [number]. I am calling because I am deeply concerned about the constant and relentless attacks on immigrants from this administration. The GOP stands by and does nothing. I ask that during the lame duck session the Senator to 1) work to pass the REUNITE Act 2) hold hearings on what is happening at the border, 3) make sure no tax payer money goes to fund a wall and 4) do something to help DREAMERs.”

“My name is [Name]. I am a constituent and I and live in ZIP code [number]. I am calling because I am deeply concerned about the constant and relentless attacks on immigrants from this administration. The GOP stands by and does nothing. I ask that during the lame duck session the Representative to 1) work to pass the REUNITE Act 2) hold hearings on what is happening at the border, 3) make sure no tax payer money goes to fund a wall and 4) do something to help DREAMERs.”